It’s still warm in some parts of the country, but it’s not too early to start thinking about keeping your heating costs to the minimum. Adding a programmable thermostat, insulating your attic, weatherproofing your home are all surefire ways to cut heating costs. But there are other things you can do about the way you live in your house – that don’t cost anything – that will reduce the energy needed to heat your home. Here’s a few of them.

Keep draperies and window covering open on the sunny side of the house to take advantage of the solar power coming in your windows when the sun is shining its strongest.

Don’t put furniture on top of or obstructing the heating duct in your walls or floors because it prevents the flow of heated air within the room.

Close the doors and heating ducts in unused or seldom-used room because it makes no sense to heat a room that no one uses.

Once a month replace the filter in your heating system so it can work efficiently. A dirty filter blocks the air flow which makes the unit work harder to heat your home.

Set your thermostat as low as is comfortable. Before bed and leaving for work roll back the temperature so you’re not heating an empty house.